The news agency said industry sources believe 25-27 tankers are parked for storing crude in sea lanes close to Iranian terminals including Assaluyeh and Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf.

Asked how many tankers were not seaworthy and needed to go to dry docks for refits to meet international shipping standards, the senior official said, “Around 20 large tankers … need to be modernized.”

The report added that a further 11 Iranian tankers from the fleet were carrying oil to Asian buyers.

It said now the country needs more tankers to export oil to Europe and other new destinations.

Iran has boosted its crude exports to a reported 1.75 million barrels per day (bpd) so far in April – up from average March exports of about 1.6 million bpd.

Last week, Iranian officials said the country’s output had surpassed 3.5 million bpd and exports would reach 2 million bpd in the coming month.